Nectarine and Plum Upside-down Cake

This is a variation of the 10-minute Basic Yellow Cake that you’ll also find in the Easy Desserts chapter of Sara’s Secrets for Weeknight Meals. It takes a little longer because you have to slice and arrange the fruit, but it is really worth it. You could use all nectarines, all plums, or throw peaches into the mix. When fresh stone fruit are in season there’s no better time to try this easy summer dessert.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Combine 2 tablespoons of the softened butter, the brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in a small bowl. Lightly grease the sides of an 8-inch square cake pan; spread the brown-sugar mixture evenly over the bottom of the pan. Arrange the nectarine and plum slices in alternate rows over the brown-sugar mixture in the pan.

Combine the granulated sugar and the remaining 6 tablespoons butter in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a chopping blade. Process until fluffy, about 1 minute. Add the eggs and 1 tablespoon vanilla and process until combined. Add the flour mixed with the cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg; pour the milk over all. Pulse once or twice, just until the flour is moistened. The batter doesn’t have to be smooth.

Spoon the batter evenly over the fruit in the pan and bake until the center springs back when gently pressed, about 40 minutes. Cool on a rack in the pan for 5 minutes, then loosen the edges and invert onto a serving plate. Cut into squares and serve warm.

Hi Debbie: Because both nectarines and plums have smooth skins, I don’t peel them. If you use peaches or if your family really doesn’t like the skins, you might want to.
Best, Sara

Beth Says:August 4th, 2010 at 12:17 am

Sara.. I made this last weekend..hot out of the oven, some in a bowl with cold milk on it.. oh my gosh.. heavenly.. this is a great recipe..i did peel the fruit..

thank for a great recipe..i love watching your shows..

Rhiannon Says:September 3rd, 2010 at 6:12 pm

I made this cake yesterday and it was delicious! The cake came out nice and hefty, just the way we like it… and it was not overly sweet. I made 1.5x the recipe, added a few extra spices, and baked it in a 9×13 inch dish. Marvelous recipe for using up those extra summer fruits that would otherwise start to turn.

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